20 new homes ready in Littleborough in time for Christmas

Local housing association First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has completed 20 new homes in Littleborough in time for Christmas.

Four one-bedroom apartments, eight two-bedroom houses, and eight three-bedroom houses at the site of the former Phoenix Ironworks on Howarth Street have been built by FCHO's development partner, Rochdale-based Casey.

The properties - which are all for affordable rent - will be let to people on the council housing register and managed by FCHO, with the first tenants expected to move in before the end of December.

The £3.3m development is part of FCHO's strategy to deliver 750 quality affordable homes in Rochdale, Oldham and the surrounding areas by 2026 to help meet increasing demand across the region.

The social landlord received £760,000 grant funding from Homes England for the scheme.

Karis Matthews is among the first customers to pick up the keys to a new home at the scheme and is looking forward to celebrating Christmas there. She said: “I’ve been waiting a while to be housed and when I found out I’d got this home I was so happy. The place is great and it’s in a lovely location for a family - really peaceful. It’s a godsend.”

 

 

Joel Owen, FCHO’s Director of Development said: "This joint venture with Casey has once again enabled us to deliver quality new homes and make a positive difference in the community.

"Having started on site in September 2020, the project team overcame significant challenges posed by Covid-19 to safely transform a brownfield site into this new development that will help meet local housing need and I'm pleased it's ready for customers in time for Christmas."

Alan Taylor, Casey’s Operations Director added: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working in partnership with First Choice Homes Oldham on the Phoenix Ironworks scheme. As properties begin handing over to residents, it’s always a joy to see how delighted they are with their new home. We overcame challenges around Covid by working closely with FCHO to deliver the scheme safely and provide much needed new homes to the local area.”

Councillor Danny Meredith, Cabinet member for housing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It’s great to see a brownfield site being transformed into much needed affordable housing for Rochdale borough residents. These homes are a fantastic addition to the area, and it will be lovely to see our residents make a home here just in time for Christmas.”

Phoenix Ironworks is FCHO's latest housing development completed in the Rochdale borough; the social housing provider has delivered 21 family homes for affordable rent in the past 18 months, including three- and four-bedroom houses at Clough Road in Middleton and four-bedroom homes at Spotland Road, Rochdale.